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VIRTUAL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Join us for the 34th Annual PSI Conference

Last year we held our first-ever virtual conference, and it was an outstanding success - with the largest attendance to date.  As much as we would be happy to see each of you in person this year in New Orleans, we have made the complex decision that this year's conference will be virtual.  Nevertheless, we hope you will join us for an interactive virtual experience like none other. 

The annual PSI conference provides an opportunity to meet, learn together, and share ideas with others involved in the field of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). This years virtual conference will be held in an interactive conference hall where attendees can access, sessions/recordings, e-Posters, exhibits and conference information under one roof. The conference will be held July 7-11, 2021 for live sessions.

Conference Schedule

  • July 7-8:  PSI 2-Day Pre-Conference Certificate Course, “Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Components of Care”.
  • July 9-10:  PSI Main Conference, with keynotes, breakouts, and posters
  • July 11, Sunday Morning: 3-hour in-depth expert workshops (includes 3-hour workshop for Advanced Psychopharmacology training)
  • July 11, Sunday Training: PSI Advanced PMH Psychotherapy (6-hour) training for Certification

The PSI Conference Program contains the following tracks:

  • Perinatal Psychiatry
  •  Psychotherapy
  • Peer Support & Advocacy
  • Integrated Care and Systems
  • Fathers, Families, and Partners
 

  Early registration pricing is available until June 16, 2021 -  So register today!

Register Now

 


The Susan A. Hickman Memorial Research Award 

This award is given each year to an individual involved in a scholarly research project that contributes to the field of perinatal mental health. The recipient is selected by the PSI Research Committee among qualified applicants. The full award is $5000, which includes a stipend for travel to attend the annual PSI Conference.  The 2021 award will be presented at the virtual conference.

Eligibility of Award: The research must be related to issues of perinatal mental health. The candidates for the research award will: 1) be a master’s, doctoral, post-doctoral or research faculty member with affiliation with an accredited institution of higher education, and 2) be or become a 
member of Postpartum Support International.  

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION HERE
The deadline for the 2020 Susan A. Hickman Award is April 1, 2021.


PSI Zumbathon Virtual Fundraiser 2021

Join the Zumba Virtual Fundraiser! Instructors include Holly Rose, Ann Saldi Zes, and more!! It is going to be amazing!! This is our 8th annual Zumbathon event for Postpartum Support International, in honor of the memory of Cindy Wachenheim.

Everyone is welcome -- Please join us and spread the word!

The suggested donation is $15 - but we will accept any amount.
PayPal: 
Karen.Wachenheim@gmail.com
Venmo: @Karen-Wachenheim
Facebook Event Page

The reason for this memorial is powerful and fills us with purpose, but it is tragic and potentially triggering. Please contact us at 800-944-4773 if you need support or resources. 

This Zumbathon fundraiser is done in memory of my sister-in-law, Cynthia Wachenheim.  8 years ago, Cindy took her own life when she jumped out of her 8 story window with her son strapped to her. Luckily her son survived.  She did not. We had no idea just how severe PMADS could be.  Until she started having PMAD symptoms, Cindy never had any type of mental health issues.  It became our family's mission to bring awareness to as many people as possible. Please join us as we dance in her memory and in memory and honor of all moms and dads that have lived through PMADS!

Zumba and the Zumba Fitness logo are registered trademarks of Zumba Fitness, used under license.


PSI SUPPORT GROUP: NICU

Our free NICU parents online support group takes place every Thursday. Parents whose baby (or babies) are spending time in the NICU are at a higher risk for developing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

If you have been in the past or currently are a NICU parent, join us today.


ONLINE SUPPORT GROUPS

Come as you are and join other parents in one of our many online support groups.  The environment is very casual, and babies and children are welcome. You are not alone, and we are here for you. 

Available groups are:

  • New! Postpartum Psychosis Survivors
  • New! Parents Support Group
  • Queer Parents
  • Desi Chaat- A group for South Asian Moms (Once/Month)
  • Dad Chat (Once/month)
  • Birth Mom Support Groups
  • Apoyo Perinatal (Spanish-language) - Los invitamos a unirse a la reunión por Zoom
  • Black Mamas Matter
  • Military Moms
  • NICU Parents
  • Perinatal (Pregnancy & Postpartum) Mood Support for Moms
  • Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Group for Moms
  • Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support group for Parents (Once/month)
  • Pregnancy Mood Support

Go to our Support Group to view the schedule and register.
 


PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH IN THE NEWS

Postpartum Support International is a Global Resource for Mothers and Families, PSI Press Release, March 2021

Small Piece of the Stimulus Has Ambitious Aim of Saving Mothers’ Lives, New York Times, March 14, 2021. 
To keep up to date, join the Movement & sign the pledge. Sign up for emails from Mind the Gap

Advancing Maternal and Infant Health by Extending the Postpartum Coverage Period, March 2021, Chapter 2


MEMBERSHIP CORNER

On the updated PSI website, you can now find the link to the portal right up at the top: 

Non-members can log in, too, and see their training and donation histories; but with (current) membership you can see extra special hidden sections that only members can see. Such as the “News Links'' compilation of articles and videos. And the all-important “Access my member benefits” page, your key to membership.

Not yet a member? More about PSI membership & enrollment is here.

Not sure if you are a member? Email me to check, and to get better connected to your membership. (No need to feel shy about it; shyness is fine, of course, but reach out anyway.)

 - Edith Casterline, Membership & CRM Manager
membership@postpartum.net


PSI Community Engagement Grant Program

Who Can Apply:
This grant is open to groups and organizations focused on perinatal mental health, including community organizations, support groups, healthcare systems, and PSI state chapters. Applicants must have at least one individual with an active PSI Membership. (Group memberships are also available). 
Learn more about PSI membership here.

Award options:  $500, $2000, $5,000, $10,000:
The size of the grant is dependent upon the scope of the project and the number of people served. This pilot program is limited to US entities. Applications will be reviewed and evaluated by PSI state chapters and the PSI Community Engagement Committee.

Dates:
Submit application by May 1, 2021
Recipients will be notified by June 1, 2021 

Submit Application HERE


New Mom’s Health & Wellness Survey - OWH  

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health (OWH) is sponsoring the creation of a campaign that encourages new moms who might be at risk for postpartum depression to reach out for help. Their website is at https://www.womenshealth.gov/. They want to learn how to make it easier for new moms to get help if they feel pressure with a new baby and other life issues. They are looking for new moms to take a survey about their experiences.

Postpartum Support International (PSI) is happy to partner with OWH to collect your insights and opinions to create a campaign to serve new mothers.

Learn More OR Sign Up
Deadline April 8th


PSI VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

PSI is currently looking for volunteers in the following areas:

Thank you to all our recent volunteer additions! The English HelpLine was thrilled to recently welcome twenty new volunteers.  


CLIMB OUT OF DARKNESS

Ready to lead a Climb? We are still looking for folks to lead events in Arkansas, Hawaii, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota and West Virginia.

Apply here: 
bit.ly/COTDapp21


JUSTICE AND ADVOCACY CORNER

The Yates Children Memorial Fund PSI Justice and Advocacy program would like to remind everyone of our  PSI Legal Resources Toolkit, which includes a protocol of best practices and a 17-minute video for attorneys who are assigned to defend a maternal infanticide case. The educational video includes key points compiled from the live CLE seminar provided by experts in the field of maternal mental illness and the law. The day-long seminar provided practical, evidence-based, and case-based information to understand the key elements of perinatal mental illness and the criminal justice system. The lead faculty is criminal defense attorney George Parnham, JD, expert on the defense of individuals with mental illness and a passionate advocate for legal reform of their treatment in the criminal justice system. The video is designed to increase the competence and proficiency of professionals and advocates, and discusses key recommendations, including first and immediate steps attorneys should take when assigned a maternal infanticide case. To request the PSI Legal Resources Toolkit, please email Tiffany Ross, YCMF PSI Justice and Advocacy Program Manager at tross@postpartum.net 


PMD COMPONENTS OF CARE AND ADVANCED TRAININGS


CONGRATULATIONS PMH-C RECIPIENTS

130 New PMH-C's were certified in February and March 2021.  While that is surprising during the pandemic, we were very pleased to learn from Pearson Vue, the Certification Company, that they identified Perinatal Mental Health Professionals as an essential position and allowed exams to be scheduled in select centers. We are grateful, and agree with them! 

COVID restrictions have put a wrench in many plans, but PSI was quick to pivot our 2-day Components of Care and Advanced Trainings to a virtual platform.  Since March 2020 PSI has trained over 4000 providers through our webinars, and more than 1000 at the annual (virtual) conference.  We are proud to be able to provide these trainings to more providers in more cities, states, and countries.  We are always striving to ensure that no parent is alone, and we are working to meet our goal of having a provider for every parent, in every city, state, and country.  

If you have submitted your PMH-C Exam and have not heard from PearsonVue or PSI in 3-weeks, please email certification@postpartum.net

We are now offering the option to have a professionally printed version of your PMH-C certificate. The certificate is for those providers who have already passed the PMH-C exam, and are PMH-C Certified.  Visit the store to order

Do you have questions about the PMH-C? PSI hosts a monthly call where we can answer your questions! The PMH-C call is the perfect time to have questions answered about qualifications, exam preparation, trainings, etc.

Join us for the FAQ Chat on Zoom the first Friday of the month at 1 pm PST/4EST (Excluding January 2021)  Register for the call here. 

Perinatal Mental Health Certificate (PMH-C) recipients from February and March 2020. 
You can find the full list of PMH-C recipients HERE

 

UNITED STATES
AL LaKendra Ellis IL Leslie Pietruszka NY Victoria Goldenberg
AZ Megan Smith IL Kendra Vargas NY Orly Lieberman
CA Jennifer Aguilar IL Trisha Wierenga NY Amanda Logan
CA Ruthie Ayzenberg IL Elyse Wood NY Heather Mauro
CA Jennifer Baumgardner IL Elizabeth Zaragoza NY Diana Tillotson
CA Skarlet Bui IA Sarah Bradbury NC Marina Cline
CA Malaika Clelland IA Jeanetta Nieuwsma NC Robin Forgione
CA Jillian Early KS Melissa Hoffman NC Amanda Harwell
CA Jennifer Gathman KS Amanda Stuchlik NC Jennifer Lavoie
CA Robin Giesen KY Kimberly Vilt NC Ashley Levers
CA Nicole Goldberg LA Reney Fontenot NC Maria Carolina Robbins
CA Mehr Karamat ME Megan Mitchell NC Sophie Rudisill
CA Marnie Levenson ME Mallory Zwerdling NC Andrea Valletta
CA Michelle Malloy MD Joshua Kleiner NC Stephanie Vlad
CA Tamara Noel MD Rebekah Kroeger OH Colleen Furey
CA Latisha O'Connor MD AnnaMarie Pemberton OH Geanine Weston
CA Jessica Oliveira MD Deloran Streety OR Ayelet Amittay
CA Sandra Reynaga MD Kimberly Zahm OR Alma Montes
CA Jennifer Rogez MA Jill Fieleke PA Katherine Holzworth
CA Jane Shomof MI Kersten Kimmerly PA Heather Marshall
CA Lisa Slover MI Jennifer Novello PA Alexa Meyer
CA Cristina Trette MI Anne Phillips PA Ashley Womble
CA Veronica Velasquez- Rodarte MI Sarath Rednam-Waldo TX Rebecca Allen
CA Kristina Ye MI Kelly Soley TX Jane Ballard
CO Ashley Baldwin MN Karen Dolan TX Elisabeth Netherton
CO Emery Erhart MN Kacie Norlien TX Jessica Rohr
CT Rebecca Carr MN Allison Peterson VT Alison Clausnitzer-Lane
FL Orietta Coz MO Marni Scott VT Jessica Dewes
FL Ashlyn Douglass-Barnes MO Megan Steen VT Julia Frankel
FL Tiffany Lowther MT Amy Steffenson VA Sara Beth Berner-Orcutt
FL Rotem Moshe NE Jill Brandl VA Danielle Cauley
FL Haley Neidich NE Abby Saunders VA Brittney George
FL Melissa Tran NV Jillian Anderson VA Jennifer Guerin
GA Anne Kuhlke-Lee NV Rachel Goforth VA Courtney Michels
HI Rachel Ebert NV Caitlyn Wallace VA Rachel North
ID Dana McKee NH Sarah Craig VA Amy Rugh
IL Justyna Alegoz NJ Sara Boyadjis WA Naomi Bradfute
IL Denise Colangelo NJ Deborah Flam WA Marisa Keller
IL Beatriz Jaramillo NJ Karen Friedman WA Kristine Lynam
IL Jamie Leech NJ Ashley Perry WA Amanda McLean
IL Anna Mackender NJ Erin Smith WV Rebecca Sarich
IL Rachel Menge NY Ruth Ackerman-Offer WI Tracy Rank
    NY Jennifer Bottoms WI Tara Sell
  ONTARIO, CANADA   GERMANY    
  Kerry Dixon   Michele Glover    

 

 

 


 

You are not alone.

 

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